Stock / Other Animals

Wandering Stock

Wandering stock can pose both a nuisance and a hazard - especially on our roads.

If you come across wandering stock, please contact Council so that they can inform an Animal Control Officer and locate the animals owner.

Animal Bylaw Permit

The keeping of Poultry/Bees/Multiple Cats/Pigs in the Urban Area

The keeping of animals other than dogs in the Manawatu District is controlled by the Manawatu District Council Animal Bylaw 2014.

You cannot keep more than 12 heads of Poultry (excluding roosters) , keep bee hives or keep/house a pig in the urban area without having a permit from the Council.

The keeping of Domestic Cats, Pigs and Stock in the urban area is also controlled under the Bylaw to ensure that the nuisance effects of keeping such animals are avoided.

The Animal Bylaw 2014 requires a permit to be held for the following activities in the ‘urban’ area of the Manawatu District:

Keeping of more than 12 heads of Poultry (excluding roosters);

The keeping of Bee Hives; and

The keeping of Pigs.

To make an application to the Council for either of these activities please use the Animal Bylaw Permit form.

To advise Council of roosters on a residential (urban) property please contact us on compliance@mdc.govt.nz or 06 323 0000.

Other Requirements for the Keeping of Animals

The Manawatu District Plan also contains conditions and standards for the keeping of a variety of other animal species in and around the urban environment, including the Rural Zones.

The District Plan contains specific requirements for activities including:

Pig Farming

Kennelling of dogs

Accessory buildings for the purpose of housing animals (sometimes referred to as Pens housing animals), and

Milking Sheds

For information regarding whether a resource consent is required under the Manawatu District Plan please refer to the Manawatu District Plan, or contact Councils Planning Team with enquiries at planning@mdc.govt.nz .

Owners are responsible for controlling their animals

Owners and persons who may have an animal temporarily in their custody are responsible for:

Keeping the animal under control at all times.

Ensuring the animal does not create a nuisance

Ensuring the animal is properly fed, sheltered and cared for.

Council officers will respond to complaints where animals might be accusing a nuisance or danger.

If you live or keep animals near natural bush, native wildlife habitat, protected areas or Department of Conservation controlled land you must take all reasonable steps to prevent your animals from entering onto those areas and destroying or damaging native fauna and flora.

Animals must be properly cared for

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires animals to be housed, fed and treated in a human manner.

The Council will report any incidents of abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or malnourishment of any animal to the Royal Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and/ or the Department of Primary Industries where appropriate.